It causes some to get angry, to swear that people are taking “Christ” out of “Christmas,” but do people ever actually ask what the “X” in “X-mas” means? In truth, there’s nothing inherently anti-Christian about the expression. In fact, it’s origin is actually Christian in nature. Let me explain:

In Greek, Christ is spelt Χριστός. Notice that the first letter there, a “chi”, looks exactly like our “X”. This “X” has been used for thousands of years as a Christian symbol to represent the name “Christ.”

For example, in liturgical churches, there is the symbol used to this day, the ☧, a “P” on top of an “X” (Chi & Rho in Greek – the first two letters of Christ’s name) which stands as a symbol for Christ.

Even the Christian Fish Symbol (<><) is also based on this abbreviation of Christ’s name. In Greek, “Fish” is spelt ΙΧΘΥΣ. The “Ι” is the first letter of “Jesus” in Greek. The ”Χ” is for “Christ.” ”Θ” is for “God’s”. The “Υ” is for “Son” and the “Σ” for “Saviour.” Altogether it abbreviates “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, [Our] Saviour.” Note here how the “X” stands for “Christ”.

In fact, for hundreds of years the word Christ has been abbreviated in English by monks and scribes in words like “Xian” and “X” as an abbreviation of “Christian” and “Christ”. As we see, the “X” in “Xmas” is a very Christian thing indeed!

So don’t be afraid to wish your friends a “Merry X-mas”! In fact, take the opportunity to let them know what the the meaning of “X-mas” is and, more importantly, let them know the meaning of Christmas itself!

God bless everyone, and Merry X-mas!